What is the difference between acne and pimples?

The difference between acne and pimples is that acne is a disease and pimples are one of its symptoms.

Acne is a condition affecting the skin’s hair follicles and oil glands.

Under your skin, your pores are connected to glands that make an oily substance known as sebum. The glands and pores are connected by a canal known as a follicle that has a thin hair that grows out to the skin’s surface.

When sebum and dead skin cells clump together, they form a plug in the follicle. Bacteria in the plug causes inflammation, leading to red pimples in acne.

What causes acne?

While the exact causes of acne haven’t been identified, it’s been determined that certain things can trigger acne or make it worse, such as:

1. hormonal changes, such as puberty, pregnancy, and the menstrual cycle
2. squeezing or picking at existing pimples
3. cleaning or scrubbing your skin too vigorously
4. pressure, such as from collars, hats, helmets, and backpack straps
5. high humidity
6. cosmetics, such oil-based products, sunscreen, and hair products
7. medications

Acne treatment

Dermatologists typically prescribe a topical retinoid for your acne, such as topical tretinoin or adapalene.

Any other prescriptions or recommendations may depend on the type of acne being treated. Sometimes, over-the-counter (OTC) medications are recommended as well.

Recommended OTC acne medications commonly include active ingredients, such as

• benzoyl peroxide
• salicylic acid, though this isn’t commonly recommended in an acne regimen

In addition to topical retinoids, prescription topical medications commonly used to treat acne include:

• antibiotics, such as topical clindamycin
• azelaic acid

Acne prevention

There are many self-care steps you can take to help prevent acne or to help heal and keep acne manageable. Here are a few to try:

1. Wash your face with warm water and a mild facial cleanser.
2. Use noncomedogenic hair products, sunscreen, and makeup.
3. Avoid squeezing or picking at blemishes.
4. Avoid touching your face with your hands, your phone, and your hair.
5. Maintain a healthy diet, and avoid skim milk and food products with high glycemic load.